Kenya national football team facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This page is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Kenya women's national football team.

Quick facts for kids
Kenya

Nickname(s)

Harambee Stars

Association

Football Kenya Federation (FKF)

Confederation

CAF (Africa)

Sub-confederation

CECAFA (Central & East Africa)

Head coach

Engin Fırat

Captain

Michael Olunga

Most caps

Musa Otieno (90)

Top scorer

William Ouma (35)

Home stadium

Moi International Sports Centre

FIFA code

KEN

First colours

Second colours

FIFA ranking

Current

106

1 (7 February 2019)

Highest

68 (December 2008)

Lowest

137 (July 2007)

Elo ranking

Current

108

2 (3 March 2019)

Highest

60 (November 1983)

Lowest

140 (August 2011)

First international

Kenya 1–1 Uganda

(Nairobi, Kenya; 1 May 1926)

Biggest win

Kenya 10–0 Zanzibar

(Nairobi, Kenya; 4 October 1961)

Biggest defeat

Uganda 13–1 Kenya

(Uganda; 1932)

Africa Cup of Nations

Appearances

7 (first in 1972)

Best result

Group stage (1972, 1988, 1990, 1992, 2004, 2019)

Four Nations Football Tournament

Appearances

1 (first in 2024)

Best result

Champions (2024)

COSAFA Cup

Appearances

2 (first in 2013)

Best result

Group stage (2013, 2024)

The Kenya national football team, colloquially known as the Harambee Stars, represents Kenya in association football. It is controlled by the Football Kenya Federation, the governing body of football in Kenya, and competes as a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA). The team plays its home games primarily at the Nyayo National Stadium in the capital, Nairobi.

Name

The team's colloquial name, the Harambee Stars, derives from Harambee, a Kenyan tradition of community self-help events such as fundraising and development activities. The word means "all pull together" in Swahili, and is the official motto of Kenya, appearing on its coat of arms.

History

FIFA suspended Kenya from all football activities for three months in 2004, due to the interference of the government in football activities. The ban was reversed after the country agreed to create new statutes.

On 25 October 2006, Kenya was again suspended from international football, for failing to fulfil a January 2006 agreement made to resolve recurrent problems in its federation. FIFA announced that the suspension would be in force until the federation complied with the agreements previously reached.

Kenya qualified for the 2019 AFCON. The head coach at the time, Sébastien Migné, was appointed in May 2018, and since his appointment Kenya has climbed back into the top 100 FIFA ranked nations.

In May 2017, the Football Kenya Federation signed a 3-year partnership with kits manufacturer Mafro Sports to provide the kits for all national teams, as well as junior categories. The national team would use red jerseys for home matches, white jerseys for away matches, and green jerseys for matches played on neutral venues.

On 8 September 2018, Kenya earned a win over 4-time African champions Ghana, winning 1–0.

On 14 January 2023, Football Kenya Federation stated that it had suspended 14 players, including six players from Zoo Kericho FC and two coaches for match-fixing allegations.

Coaches

Ray Batchelor was appointed the first national team coach in 1961. However, there was dissent regarding his managerial skills, and a revolt among players during a CECAFA Cup game in Zanzibar led to him being forced out. In 1963, not long after Kenyan independence was declared, Kenyan international Peter Oronge took over coaching duties; however, he disappeared just hours before a Jamhuri Day friendly against reigning champions Ghana in 1965. His absence was never explained, and Batchelor was called in as an emergency replacement. This match was the team's worst defeat, with a final score of 13–2 against Ghana. At the time, the Ghanaians were a very strong team with a dangerous striker in the form of Ben Acheampong. Two days later, after Batchelor had reorganised the team, the Kenyans and Ghanaians drew in a friendly match.

Managers since 1961 include (caretaker managers in italics):

Ray Batchelor (1961)
Peter Oronge (1963)
Ray Batchelor (1965)
Jack Gibbons (1966)
Elijah Lidonde (1967)
Eckhard Krautzun (1971)
Jonathan Niva (1972)
Ray Wood (1975)
Grzegorz Polakow (1979)
Stephen Yongo (1979)
Marshall Mulwa (1980–83)
Bernhard Zgoll (1984)
Reinhard Fabisch (1987, 1997, 2001–02)
Christopher Makokha (1988)
Mohammed Kheri (1988–90, 1995, 2005)
Gerry Saurer (1992)
Vojo Gardašević (1996)
Abdul Majid (1998)
Christian Chukwu (1998)
James Siang'a (1999–00)
Joe Kadenge (2002)
Jacob "Ghost" Mulee (2003–04, 2007–08, 2010, 2020–2021)
Twahir Muhiddin (2004–05, 2009–10)
Bernard Lama (2006)
Tom Olaba (2006)
Jacob "Ghost" Mulee (2007–08)
Francis Kimanzi (2008–09, 2011–12)
Antoine Hey (2009)
Zedekiah Otieno (2010–11)
Henri Michel (2012)
James Nandwa (2012–13)
Adel Amrouche (2013–14)
Bobby Williamson (2014–16)
Stanley Okumbi (2016–17, 2018)
Paul Put (2017–2018)
Sébastien Migné (2018–2019)
Francis Kimanzi (2019–2020)
Kennedy Odhiambo (2021)
Engin Fırat (2021–present)

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Win Draw Loss Fixture

2023

2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 16 November	Gabon	2–1	Kenya	Franceville, Gabon
17:00 UTC+1	Bouanga 60' Kanga 88'	https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400017607	Juma 40'	Stadium: Stade de Franceville Referee: Mohamed Maarouf Eid Mansour (Egypt)

2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 20 November	Seychelles	0–5	Kenya	Abidjan, Ivory Coast
19:00 UTC±0		https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400017611	Olunga 3', 6' Juma 45+3' Onyango 62' Omala 73'	Stadium: Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny Referee: Tawel Younoussa Camara (Guinea)

2024

Friendly 23 March	Malawi	0–4	Kenya	Lilongwe, Malawi
		https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/23/world/friendlies/malawi/kenya/4336776/		Stadium: Bingu National Stadium

Friendly 26 March	Zimbabwe	1–3	Kenya	Lilongwe, Malawi
		https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/26/world/friendlies/kenya/zimbabwe/4343907/		Stadium: Bingu National Stadium

2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 7 June	Kenya	1–1	Burundi	Lilongwe, Malawi
15:00 UTC+2	Abuya 72'	https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400018193	Abdallah 85'	Stadium: Bingu National Stadium Referee: Jean Ouattara (Burkina Faso)

2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 11 June	Kenya	0–0	Ivory Coast	Lilongwe, Malawi
15:00 UTC+2		https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400018194		Stadium: Bingu National Stadium Attendance: 6,000 Referee: Jalal Jayed (Morocco)

2024 COSAFA Cup 27 June	Zambia	0–2	Kenya	Gqeberha, South Africa
		https://cosafa.com/em-fr-pr-kenya-beat-zambia-zimbabwe-pick-up-win-against-comoros/	Odhiambo 8' (pen.) Otieno 19'	Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

2024 COSAFA Cup 30 June	Kenya	0–2	Comoros	Gqeberha, South Africa
		https://cosafa.com/en-fr-pr-zimbabwe-get-bragging-rights-over-old-foes-zambia/	Djambae 34' (pen.), 49'	Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium

2024 COSAFA Cup 2 July	Kenya	2–0	Zimbabwe	Gqeberha, South Africa
12:00	A. Odhiambo 54' Omalla 73'	https://cosafa.com/mozambique-comoros-into-hollywoodbets-cosafa-cup-2024-semis/		Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium

2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification 6 September	Kenya	0–0	Zimbabwe
16:00 UTC+3

Players

Current squad

The following players were selected for the 2024 COSAFA Cup.

Caps and goals are correct as of 30 June 2024, after the match against Comoros.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1GK	Bryne Odhiambo	(2000-11-28) 28 November 2000 (age 24)	7	0	Bandari
1GK	Dolph Junior	(2003-12-08) 8 December 2003 (age 21)	0	0	Gor Mahia
1GK	Ibrahim Wanzala	(2005-03-16) 16 March 2005 (age 19)	0	0	Kakamega Homeboyz

2DF	Alphonce Omija	(2002-10-09) 9 October 2002 (age 22)	3	0	Dhofar Club
2DF	Sylvester Owino	(2001-05-06) 6 May 2001 (age 23)	2	0	Gor Mahia
2DF	Amos Wanjala		2	0	Gimnàstic de Tarragona
2DF	Paul Ochuoga	(2004-09-13) 13 September 2004 (age 20)	1	0	Gor Mahia
2DF	Geoffrey Onyango		1	0	Kariobangi Sharks

3MF	Rooney Onyango	(2001-08-08) 8 August 2001 (age 23)	9	1	Gor Mahia
3MF	Chris Erambo	(2004-12-10) 10 December 2004 (age 20)	6	0	Tusker
3MF	Austin Odhiambo	(1999-12-16) 16 December 1999 (age 25)	3	1	Gor Mahia
3MF	John Ochieng	(2003-12-15) 15 December 2003 (age 21)	2	0	Zanaco
3MF	Kayci Odhiambo	(2003-04-28) 28 April 2003 (age 21)	2	0	AFC Leopards
3MF	Patrick Otieno	(2000-12-24) 24 December 2000 (age 24)	2	1	Posta Rangers
3MF	Aldrine Kibet	(2006-06-13) 13 June 2006 (age 18)	1	0	Gimnàstic de Tarragona
3MF	Stanley Wilson		1	0	Kariobangi Sharks
3MF	William Gitamu		0	0	Bandari
3MF	Elly Owande		0	0	Migori Youth

4FW	Benson Omala	(2001-10-16) 16 October 2001 (age 23)	5	1	Safa
4FW	Alfred Tanui	(2002-12-28) 28 December 2002 (age 22)	1	0	Talanta
4FW	Hassan Beja	(2005-08-26) 26 August 2005 (age 19)	0	0	AFC Leopards
4FW	Jeremy Bissau		0	0	Brooke House College
4FW	Moses Shummah	(2002-10-27) 27 October 2002 (age 22)	0	0	Kakamega Homeboyz

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the Kenya squad within the last twelve months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Brian Bwire	(2000-06-19) 19 June 2000 (age 24)	2	0	Tusker	2024 COSAFA Cup^PRE
GK	Patrick Matasi	(1987-12-11) 11 December 1987 (age 37)	37	0	Tusker	v. Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
GK	Ian Otieno	(1993-08-09) 9 August 1993 (age 31)	7	0	ZESCO United	v. Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
GK	Joseph Ochuka	(1993-12-23) 23 December 1993 (age 31)	0	0	Bandari	v. Seychelles; 20 November 2023

DF	Johnstone Omurwa	(1998-08-08) 8 August 1998 (age 26)	19	0	Estrela da Amadora	v. Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
DF	Aboud Omar	(1992-09-09) 9 September 1992 (age 32)	48	0	Kenya Police	v. Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
DF	Erick Otieno	(1996-09-27) 27 September 1996 (age 28)	42	0	Raków Częstochowa	v. Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
DF	Joseph Okumu	(1997-05-26) 26 May 1997 (age 27)	23	1	Reims	v. Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
DF	Collins Sichenje	(2003-09-19) 19 September 2003 (age 21)	4	0	Vojvodina	v. Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
DF	Daniel Anyembe	(1998-07-22) 22 July 1998 (age 26)	8	0	Viborg	v. Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
DF	Amos Nondi	(1999-02-10) 10 February 1999 (age 25)	12	1	Ararat-Armenia	v. Zimbabwe; 26 March 2024
DF	Daniel Sakari	(1999-01-25) 25 January 1999 (age 25)	16	0	Tusker	v. Seychelles; 20 November 2023
DF	Dennis Ng'ang'a	(1993-09-03) 3 September 1993 (age 31)	2	0	Zanaco	v. Seychelles; 20 November 2023
DF	Nabilai Kibunguchy	(1998-01-05) 5 January 1998 (age 26)	1	0	Orlando City B	v. Seychelles; 20 November 2023
DF	Haniff Wesonga	(2003-01-01) 1 January 2003 (age 21)	0	0	Kenya Commercial Bank	v. Seychelles; 20 November 2023
DF	David Ochieng	(1992-10-07) 7 October 1992 (age 32)	40	2	Mathare United	v. South Sudan; 12 September 2023

MF	Teddy Akumu	(1992-10-20) 20 October 1992 (age 32)	60	1	Sagan Tosu	v. Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
MF	Eric Johanna Omondi	(1994-08-18) 18 August 1994 (age 30)	37	4	UTA Arad	v. Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
MF	Kenneth Muguna	(1996-01-06) 6 January 1996 (age 28)	35	2	Kenya Police	v. Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
MF	Duke Abuya	(1994-03-23) 23 March 1994 (age 30)	15	1	Kenya Police	v. Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
MF	Richard Odada	(2000-11-25) 25 November 2000 (age 24)	17	1	Dundee United	v. Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
MF	Timothy Ouma	(2004-06-10) 10 June 2004 (age 20)	6	0	IF Elfsborg	v. Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
MF	Ayub Masika	(1992-09-10) 10 September 1992 (age 32)	32	5	Sabail	v. Seychelles; 20 November 2023
MF	Duncan Otieno	(1994-05-26) 26 May 1994 (age 30)	13	1	Lusaka Dynamos	v. Seychelles; 20 November 2023
MF	Alfred Scriven	(1998-01-26) 26 January 1998 (age 26)	2	0	Hødd	v. Seychelles; 20 November 2023
MF	Alpha Chris Onyango	(2000-12-23) 23 December 2000 (age 24)	0	0	Gor Mahia	v. Russia; 16 October 2023

FW	Michael Olunga (captain)	(1994-03-26) 26 March 1994 (age 30)	60	29	Al-Duhail	v. Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
FW	John Avire	(1997-03-12) 12 March 1997 (age 27)	6	1	Porto Suez	v. Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
FW	Masoud Juma	(1996-02-03) 3 February 1996 (age 28)	22	8	Al-Jabalain	v. Seychelles; 20 November 2023
FW	Clifton Miheso	(1993-02-05) 5 February 1993 (age 31)	46	7	Gor Mahia	v. Russia; 16 October 2023
FW	Hassan Abdallah	(1996-07-06) 6 July 1996 (age 28)	19	6	Bandari	v. South Sudan; 12 September 2023
FW	Elvis Rupia	(1995-04-12) 12 April 1995 (age 29)	4	1	Kenya Police	v. South Sudan; 12 September 2023
^INJ Withdrew due to injury ^PRE Preliminary/Standby squad ^RET Retired from the national team ^SUS Serving suspension ^WD Withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue

Records

Players in bold are still active with Kenya.

Most appearances

Rank	Player	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Musa Otieno	90	9	1993–2009
2	Jonathan Niva	88	10	1965–1976
3	Allan Thigo	81	11	1969–1978
4	John Nyawanga	80	17	1965–1976
5	Dennis Oliech	76	34	2002–2015
6	Robert Mambo Mumba	72	13	2000–2009
7	Titus Mulama	71	8	2001–2012
8	Francis Onyiso	70	0	1996–2011
9	Wilberforce Mulamba	68	14	1978–1988
9	James Siang'a	68	0	1963–1975

Top goalscorers

Rank	Player	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	William Ouma	35	66	0.53	1965–1977
2	Dennis Oliech	34	76	0.45	2002–2015
3	Elijah Lidonde	33	26	1.27	1950–1961
4	Michael Olunga	30	62	0.48	2015–present
5	Ali Kajo	26	32	0.81	1959–1969
5	Livingstone Madegwa	26	49	0.53	1964–1972
7	Joe Kadenge	25	63	0.4	1957–1970
8	John Baraza	21	52	0.4	2002–2011
9	Daniel Nicodemus	17	34	0.5	1963–1972
	Mike Origi	17	48	0.35	1990–2004
	John Nyawanga	17	80	0.21	1965–1976

Competition records

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record									Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1962 to 1970	Did not enter								Declined participation
1974	Did not qualify								6	2	2	2	9	8
1978									2	0	1	1	0	1
1982									2	1	0	1	3	6
1986									4	1	1	2	6	10
1990									6	1	3	2	2	4
1994									2	1	0	1	2	4
1998									8	4	1	3	13	14
2002									2	0	1	1	0	2
2006									12	4	2	6	11	17
2010									12	4	1	7	13	16
2014									8	3	3	2	11	5
2018									4	2	1	1	6	4
2022									6	1	3	2	4	9
2026	To be determined								4	1	2	1	7	3
2030									To be determined
2034									To be determined
Total		0/16							77	25	20	32	86	102

African Nations Championship

Africa Cup of Nations record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
2009	Did not qualify
2011
2014
2016
2018
2020
2022
2024	Qualified as co-hosts
Total	TBD	1/8	0	0	0	0	0	0

Africa Cup of Nations

Africa Cup of Nations record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
1957 to 1959	Not affiliated to CAF
1962 to 1970	Did not qualify
1972	Group stage	5th	3	0	2	1	3	4
1974 to 1982	Did not qualify
1984	Did not enter
1986	Did not qualify
1988	Group stage	8th	3	0	1	2	0	6
1990		8th	3	0	1	2	0	3
1992		9th	2	0	0	2	1	5
1994	Did not qualify
1996	Withdrew
1998 to 2002	Did not qualify
2004	Group stage	11th	3	1	0	2	4	6
2006 to 2017	Did not qualify
2019	Group stage	17th	3	1	0	2	3	7
2021	Did not qualify
2023	Disqualified due to FIFA suspension
2025	To be determined
2027	Qualified as co-hosts
2029	To be determined
Total	Group stage	7/36	17	2	4	11	11	31

African Games

Year	Round	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1987	2nd	5	2	2	1	7	6

Honours

Continental

African Games
- 2 Silver medal (1) : 1987

Regional

CECAFA Cup
- 1 Winners (7): 1975, 1981, 1982, 1983, 2002, 2013, 2017
- 2 Runners-up (7): 1979, 1985, 1991, 1999, 2001, 2008, 2012
- 3 Runners-up (6): 1978, 1988, 1989, 1994, 1995, 2003

Kenya national football team facts for kids

Contents

Name

History

Coaches

Results and fixtures

2023

2024

Players

Current squad

Recent call-ups

Records

Most appearances

Top goalscorers

Competition records

FIFA World Cup

African Nations Championship

Africa Cup of Nations

African Games

Honours

Continental

Regional

See also